Combined mole and rat trap



March 11, 1930. c. M. BEGGS 1,749,870

COMBINED MOLE AND RAT TRAP Filed June 12, 1929 7% @IN V EN TOR.

M ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 11, 1930 i I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECHARLEY M. BEGGS, OF ROCK FALLS, ILLINOIS COMBINED MOLE AND RAT TRAPApplication filed Tune 12, 1929. Serial No. 370,195.

My invention has reference to a combined springing the trap, forcing theloops 6 and 9 mole and rat trap, of a character which is upwardly, andcatching the animal in one or specially adapted for exterminating thefirst other of such loops. named animal in its runway beneath the sur-By removing the rod 18 from the staples 19 face of the ground, but whichcan by a little the trigger 11 can be turned so as to be adjustment bearranged for use above the cated in a cross-slot 12 of the slot 12,wherein earth, for catchingthe last-named animal. the trigger isswingingly held by the rod 18, The fact that the two animals approacheach inserted in a pair of staples 20, fixed in the other in size andhabits makes it possible to base 1 near the sides thereof. In thisposition 10 dothis. the catch 14 is engaged by the end of a wire I? Theparticular construction, arrangement, latch 22, held by a staple 21fixed to the side and manner of operation of the invention will of thebase 1, such latch projecting above one be more fully understood fromthe following O the arms 8, and holding the spring loops specification,taken in connection with the 8.0- f m pw rd movement. When thusarcompanying drawings, in which ranged the trap is set in the runway ofrats, 65

Fig. 1 is a lower plan view of the invention. Wlnch 1S usually along awall or between Fig, 2 isa side elevation thereof, bOXSS, and 111pfiSSlIlg thIOllgll the trap the Fig.3isafragmentary view, similar toFig. animal encounters the trigger and pushes it 1, with some f th partsi dj t d 1. in a dlrection to dislodge the wire from the tions. catch.This operation is aided by providing to Fig. 4 is a detail of a, blade24. some sort of bait at a point near the trigger. The invention i c ntr ted on a ba 1, The chief use for the trap for catching moles t oneend of whi h i fix d a ai f il d is in the warmer months, and forcatching springs 2, from which is projected a pair of rats in the coldermonths. so that the trap 2 parallel arms 3, with which is connected 3,can be used interchangeably for both 0f said 75 Wire loop 4, the sidewires 6 of which pass PH P SQS. through openings 7 in the base 1. Thearms 3 For permittlng the ready insertion of the are projected furtherinto arms 8, to the end loops 6, 9, and 13 in the ground a blade 24 iscross-bar of which is secured a loop 9, passprovided, which is forcedinto the earth a ing downwardly through an opening 10 in the suflicientdistance to form an opening for the so base. A trigger 11 is suspendedin the base, l p- The animal is also forced upwardly the downwardlyprojecting end thereof bein this opening when the trap is sprung. ingprotected by a wire guard 13. The upper What I claim, and desire tosecure by Letend of the trigger 11 passes through a slot '12 tersPatent, is:

in the base, and is provided with a catch 14, 1. A combined mole and rattrap, comprisfor engagement by the end of a wire latch 15. mg a base, aspring actuated loop supported hinged to a staple 16, fixed in the upperface from said base, means for holding said loop of the base 1. indepressed position, and a trigger, adapted Projected from the lower faceof the base 1 for releasable connection with said means,

40 are i t d wires 17, arranged to prevent the and convertible from aposit-ion for a swinganimal from going on the outside of the loops ingmovement transversely of the trap to a 4 and 9, and guiding the animalinto the loop position for swinging longitudinally thereof. 13, the sidewires of which form the central 2. A combined mole and rat trap,comprisguides for such wire runway. The trigger 11 ing a base having atransverse and a longi- 4 is supported on a wire 18, removably heldtudinal opening, a trigger and means for in a pair of staples 19,permitting the trigger holding the same selectively in either of said toswing laterally. When the trap is set with openings, so as to be capableof movement the loops and trigger positioned in the runaccordingly in alateral or longitudinal direcvvay of a mole, upon the animalencountertion, a spring actuated frame on said base,

50 mg the trigger he forces his way past it, animal snares co nec ed,with said fram guide Wires for directing an animal into said snares,means connected wltli said trigger for holding said snares'in setposition with the trigger in a transverse position, and means forconnection With said trigger for holding said snares in set positionWith the trigger held in longitudinal position;

In testimony-whereof I aflixsmy signature. CHARLEY M. BEGGS.

